Chapter 2 Carl Jason

THREE STRANGE WORDS

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CHAPTER TWO

"Are you done?" I asked Kristen who was removing the mud from my hair. we stood in the washroom. in front of the mirror.

"yeah almost" she turned my hair to see if there's another place infested with mud "why didn't you say anything when he did that?"

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"oh, Kristen. you and I know that no matter what you say, those rich kids will never change." I sighed looking at my messed hair and uniform in the mirror

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"those spoilt bastards. I mean who splashes mud on a girl and doesn't say sorry" she shook her head in regret

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"Two words. Carl Jason"

"fuck the son of a bitch" she half yelled "one day we're gonna hit it big and make him run for his money"

"sure hope it happens cause I'm tired of life. I'm wondering what it would be like to let go" my head hanged in disapproval as the sad memories kept flooding through my head.

"it'll be fine. great now we've missed the first period of biology" she said as she glanced through her watch

"you should probably go."

"and what will you do here," he asked hands on her hips

"well my uniforms are a mess. I can't walk around school in this" I pointed at them

"that's why you should always have a backup" she opened her bag and brought out a pair

"wow... you sure know how to back things up. you're a lifesaver" I said pulling my other uniform and then wearing the one given to me by Kristen.

"I'll wash these when I get home" I smiled "thanks Kristen," I said stuffing the dirty uniform in my bag.

"not a problem. let's go"

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we walked hand in hand into class. Luckily the biology teacher hasn't shown up yet so I sat down. Kristen is next to me. I flipped through some notes until he finally showed up.

"Morning Mr. Dave" they greeted. I didn't and he didn't care.

"so I'm afraid last week's test gave most of you quite the scare I must say.... "

the class went dead silent

"but at least someone managed to get an A."

he walked in front of me and placed my script on my table

"congrats Astral"

I looked at it. I scored a 100. I turned to look at Kristen. she gave me a thumbs up while the other students glared at me, shooting me with angry stares. as if I cared away. they were rich spoilt brats so what did you expect?

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. FINALLY class was over. I walked out with Kristen when I saw Natalie Chang. she doesn't talk to me so why is she blocking my path.

I hissed and tried to walk away but she blocked me, in the process, my hand accidentally touched hers

"Eew gross" she made disgusting faces. "how dare you to touch me with your disease infested hands"

"careful girls. she might get you sick"

I rolled my eyes. no need to say anything cause I've seen worse

"Natalie I don't have time for your BB drama so you might wanna move or... "

"or what"

I half smiled, held her by her collar, and pushed her aside

"yeah that just happened. next time, try picking on someone your size or half your character got it" I sneered. she threw me a deadly stare but I ignored it and walked away.

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. "you rock girl" Kristen smiled as we walked away.

After the learning session was over, we hit the cafeteria. I didn't have enough money on me so I just got myself an ice cream cone and so did Kristen.

we were about to leave when we bumped into the Daredevil Carl. I didn't say anything. I was about to leave when he held my hand. all eyes were on us by now as everyone gasped.

"Hey you. you seem familiar. what's your name?"

I didn't respond. I just walked out on him. Everyone was murmuring. mumbling one thing or the other but I didn't care.

I heard someone whisper "she didn't respond. what ego. she's so mysterious"

what do they even know about me?.

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. I took my bag and headed straight to work with Kristen. she also does part-time jobs and we're working at the same place as well.

"that guy has got no manners. after splashing you mud he has the right to say, what's your name" she scoffed

"some nerves" I said under my breath

"I loved the way you walked out on him"

"I wasn't gonna make small talk with him was i"

she shook her head no.

"you're a brave girl. you stood up to Natalie and Carl in just one day. not everyone could do that"

"to survive in this world, you gotta be brave"

"I wish I was like you" she sighed and we kept on working. we were about to enter the stall when someone grabbed Kristen from behind and pushed her to the floor.

I rushed to Kristen to help her up. she hurt her arm and was bleeding already.

I looked up and saw her stepbrother Darius staring intently at us.

He grabbed Kristen's bag and she rushed to struggle with him.

"where's the money?" he asked. his eyes were all red. looks like he's been drinking again

"I don't have any money on me and why should I give you money if all you're gonna do is send them on drinks and cigarettes" she yelled at him

he slapped her hard on the cheeks "you're working for us. if it wasn't for me and mom then you probably won't have a place to call home"

"that house belongs to my father so you can't kick me out"

he wanted to hit her again but I held his hand and yanked it off

"so you want to kill her? didn't you just hear what she said? or are you that dumb that you don't what she's talking about" I said to him. I was getting angrier by the minute.

"oh wow so you now have a warrior on your side now Kristen," he said to Kristen and she held on to me tight

"don't let him hurt me Astral" she whimpered, sobbing behind my back as her grip tightened.

"can't you see you're making her scared? what kind of brother are you?"

"shut the fuck up" he snarled

"you don't scare me one little bit. save the empty threats for those that need it" I said looking straight into his eyes

He wanted to hit me but hesitated

"I'll get you later Kristen," he said and walked away.

I turned and she hugged me.

"shh it's gonna be alright. he's gone now" I patted her back softly

"he does that every time. I do all the hard work and he takes the money" she sniffed. I cupped her face in my hand

"you gotta learn to stand up to yourself. believe me, this world is a dangerous place for naive people"

I helped her hang her bag on her shoulder.

"Thanks for helping me girl"

"it's nothing"

we walked to the Grocery store to start our shift...

we changed into our uniforms for work...

Kristen is not just a friend but my sister and I just can't stand seeing her hurt... this world is really selfish...